GRIT (The Silver Nitrate Series Book 2) (33 page)

“Well, I’m sure you’ll look beautiful. Javier is here; so are Flip and my cousins.”

“They came?! Awww! I love it!” She clasped her hands together and jumped in excitement. “Fran is almost here, too. I’m so happy she could make it. She’s like family to me. That news made this day even better.”

“Yeah, family… speaking of which, of course you knew I was upset this morning… you always know. Maybe I’ll get smart and stop thinking I can hide stuff from you.”

“Maybe.” She winked.

“Uncle Len is suing me for assault, Silver. I got the letter today.”

She burst out laughing. She simply couldn’t help herself. The look of horror in Zenith’s eyes at her reaction made her quickly pull herself together.

“This really isn’t that funny, Silver… I’m serious. It’s bad news for me to be wrapped up in some lawsuit when all this new press is being released about the band. We are gearing up for our first tour. Our first album is dropping in less than a month. We have over 300,000 views on YouTube for our first video and it’s only been out for three days. A lot is going on and me having a charge for beating a guy’s nose in at a funeral, a man that just lost his father, is not going to bode well with some fans!”

“Okay, okay, okay.” She shook her finger in his face. “First of all, people are going to think what they think, regardless of the facts; you already know that. Secondly, not all press is bad press. What I mean by that is drummers in bands are notoriously stereotyped as being wild and crazy, Does this or does this not fit with the M.O.?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“Does it or does it not?” she repeated.

“It does.”

“Zenith, people eat this shit up like cake and trust me, it will only help your image! You’ll come across as legit.”

“I am legit.”

“Too legit to quit?”

Suddenly, the man pulled at his pants and began to move real fast back and forth like MC. Hammer.

“You are a fool!” She giggled. “You know I love M.C. Hammer!” Silver had been in awe of the rapper/dancer well after he’d left the music scene. She didn’t know why, it was just one of those things. “Why are you doing me like this?!” She cackled.

“My people! We don’t know defeat. We crush the strong and percolate the weak!” he rapped as he continued to move about.

“Too legit! Too legit to quit!” Silver began to dance beside him, tears welling in her eyes at their ridiculousness, but she simply couldn’t stop. “Uncle Len, been drinkin’ gin, again, and he can’t win! ’Cause you’re too legit, to quit, and you’ve got pure grit!”

Zenith burst out laughing so hard, he almost lost his footing. He gained his composure and carried on, but the two were soon stopped in their tracks when Mike, Flip, and Javier materialized in the near distance, their wardrobe bags draped over their shoulders.

“You two are fucking crazy, you know that? I can’t believe this.” Javier shook his head, making the two laugh all the more.

Zenith could barely stand up straight; his face was practically beet red. The tiny vein in the middle of his forehead protruded as he repeatedly tried to stop laughing, but failed.

“Maaan, I needed that laugh.” He slapped hands with the guys. “She’s the one that’s crazy. It’s all her fault. Well, I guess we better part ways and finish getting ready, baby.” Zenith tossed her a seductive wink.

“Alright, see you at the wedding!” she called out. He waved to her as she walked in reverse, and she waved at Javier, too, who blew her a kiss.

See, this is why I’m in love with him. He’s my forever…

Through grind or grit, guitar or drum stick, I’m helplessly in love, and not afraid to admit it… Love you, baby!

There was something
about a room full of black people at a gig, wedding or funeral. Zenith loved how Silver’s family lit up the room, their smiles dazzling and their exuberance catching. He looked at his side of the aisle, filled with family members he’d finally seen again at Paw’s funeral. They were looking beautiful, too… but the merging of the two was what he so anticipated. When the Taylors and Fayes would join together as one family, to him, that was sacred.

He walked out of the room for a moment, and looked himself over in the mirror, admiring the way Silver had braided his hair that morning. He’d asked her at the last minute, but she came through nevertheless. He was going to wear it down, perhaps in a half ponytail, showing off his faded sides, but after sliding on his suit, he believed this style was more befitting. He’d been growing it out, hadn’t had a hair trim, minus the fade, in over six months, and he liked how it looked. It didn’t hurt that when she’d run her fingers through it, massaging his scalp and twirling it around her fingers during lovemaking, it sent his passion for her to new heights.

Man… cut that out.

He chastised himself for the naughty thoughts as he gave himself another glance over, for good measure.

…Walk out of here with a boner, looking a damn fool…

Out in the hall lobby, he met Javier, Kirk, and Mike. “It’s showtime!”

“You look good, man! Like an Indian My Little Pony!”

“Yo’, go to hell, Mike!” Zenith laughed as they entered through the doors. “Y’all look great. Thank you, I don’t feel like being embarrassed right now.”

“We don’t have to embarrass you; you do that enough on your own. Go Hammer!” Javier chastised as all eyes turned on them.

Zenith took the lead when the music began, his boys travelling behind him like the pack of wolves they were. When he reached the front of the room, he pressed his toes against the back of each of his shoes, removing them. Confused murmurs abounded. He reached behind a small podium, his steps light and airy, though his heartbeat had picked up. Pulling out a decorated water drum, he sat front and center. On a deep breath, he began to lightly pat the drum.

“Here comes my bride… here comes my bride… here comes my bride…” he began to chant. People smiled and clapped in the crowd. “My heart has waited such a long time to find you, baby… such a long time.” Javier sat beside him, gripping a microphone, and they waited. Two white curtains pulled back, revealing Silver in the middle.

“My…God… My… God… My God…!” Zenith exclaimed.

Her hair was pinned up, reaching towards the sky, iridescent pearls diamonds and crystals strung all throughout her perfectly coiffed curls. A teardrop band was wrapped around her head, hanging in a ‘v’ shape. The light caught it, making her appear as if she were some Queen and he was in the midst of royalty. Her snow white gown contrasted with her rich skin tone, making his heart pound impossibly faster. He made a mental note that she should wear white a hell of a lot more often…

Her gown… the damn gown was simple, yet perfect. The substantial train flowed behind her like snowflakes chasing after the Ice Queen, praying they’d not be abandoned. Her smile was too sweet, too mischievous, too addictive. Her makeup was perfect; not too little for such an occasion, and not too much. She came down the aisle, slowly but surely, and then, she stood before him. Clara and Silver’s two sisters stood across from them, looking lovely as ever. Zenith kept beating the drum, and then, Javier began to sing, and the lyrics went something like this…

“I want a love like my grandparents

The kind of love, that speaks for itself

I want a love, that I can trust

Not in it for fame, not in it for wealth

I want a love, that I can depend on

I want to laugh with her, too

I want a love that can predict my words

And my next move, too…” Javier handed the microphone over to Zenith, causing abrupt applause. He began to sing as he continued to beat the drum now with one hand.

“I was sure that didn’t exist…

Until I met you…

I was sure that didn’t exist…

Until I met you…

My grandfather

Taught me all about the four seasons

He taught me to love myself

For all the right reasons

So if I could find a love

That would allow a second chance to be birthed-

She’d find a forever lover

Who recognized her worth.

I’m a changed man

And a changed heart is hard to find.

I disappeared in my music

Always on my grind

I’m just a welder

I make metal dance with fire

She creates virtual worlds

That entertain and inspire

We came together

And I brought her the gift of heat

We came together

And she brought me the coolness and relief

Here comes my bride… Here comes my bride…

Here comes my bride… Here comes my bride…

I love you, Silver, and I will be forever by your side…”

“Whew!” People stood up out of their seats and cheered loudly. Zenith kept on drumming a few seconds longer, then handed the instrument to Javier who placed it back behind the podium.

Zenith got to his feet, and took her hands. He glanced out at their loved ones, then into her eyes.

“We’ve already said our vows, and we agreed; we’re not repeating that. We already told our Creator what we were going to do, made the promises that needed to be made.”

“Yes, we did.”

“That song Javier and I sung is the one that you found, the one I wrote a long time ago, way before I met you. I’m not a writer, but I wrote it during a time when I was thinking about my grandparents’ marriage, and how if I ever got married, I’d want something like what they had. I altered the song a few weeks ago to fit our situation, our relationship, but I got
everything
I wanted. You’re my wife, and you have no idea what that means to me. You couldn’t, but maybe you could come close since we’re so in tune with one another.”

She nodded and the diamonds, crystals and pearls in her hair sparkled. She looked so fine and radiant.

“We are in the midst of a lot of stuff right now, most of it wonderful changes and transitions. Our lives have changed, but in many ways, they remained the same. We’re still doing what we love, only better, and making some strides, creating a legacy for our future children… That’s important to me, baby, that I be someone you can depend on.” He placed his hand over his chest. “Someone you can trust, look up to. I don’t like promises, because I’ve seen too many people break them, and the few times I’ve made them, I sometimes regretted it… but what I promise you is that I will love you. I’m going to stick by you. I’m going to be faithful to you.

“I’m going to encourage and support you in your endeavors, your dreams. I’m going to be there for you, be a good father to our children. I want them to look up to both of us, to see us how I saw my grandparents. I don’t need our marriage to be just like Paw’s and Mawmaw’s; what I need is for us to have that same level of respect, admiration, and lust for one another.” He cracked a smile and drew one from her, too. “And dedication… through thick and thin. If we stay on our grind as a couple, to make sure our relationship is the best and strongest it can be, we can always be proud of ourselves!” He took her face into his palms.

“Every day isn’t going to be easy. We’re both fighters, don’t like backing down, but that’s what we admire in one another, too. We know we have each other’s back, no matter what. We’re in each other’s corner, center and ceiling.” He smiled down at her as she issued a beautiful tinkle of a laugh. “And that means I’m all around you, just like I’m supposed to be. I love you so much, baby. Thank you for marrying me. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.” He kissed her lips and their loved ones cheered. He handed the microphone back to Javier.

The minister ended the ceremony with a short prayer.

“Father God, may you bless these two newlyweds, and protect them. May you watch over them and give them strength. May you remind them, during the tough times, of what they love about one another most. Keep them today and forever, amen.”

“Amen,” everyone stated.

Silver beckoned Javier, asking for the microphone. He pointed to it, and she nodded. “Yes, that’s what I want.” With a smile, he handed it to her.

“Everyone, we’re going to take some photos before Zenith and I spill wine all over ourselves and look a hot mess.” People burst out laughing. “You know, while we still look polished and clean. We want to thank you all for coming and we know this was a bit unconventional, a bit different, but it fits me and my husband to a ‘T’.”

He nodded, winking.

“We have some great music that’s going to be played by the DJ we hired, but I want you all to know, for you may not know this… but my husband, and these fine gentlemen right here,” she said, pointing in the guys’ direction, “have been signed to a major record label.”

Applause broke out as she smiled and nodded. She waited for everyone to simmer back down.

“The name of their band is, ‘Pure Grit’, and you’re going to see a lot more of them in the coming months. They may even do a song or two for us tonight!” Her grin widened, though Javier wasn’t smiling at her announcement, which tickled her even more. “I guess Javier thought he was chillin’ tonight, off the clock.” She winked at him. “Please enjoy yourselves. I want everyone dancin’ when the time comes and we love each and every one of y’all!”